Sierra Leone will be grappling with a deepening electricity crisis as Turkish energy provider Karpowership has drastically cut its power generation to just 6 megawatts, down from a contracted supply of 50 megawatts.

This is a result of over two years of unpaid dues by the government.

In a statement on Tuesday, Karpowership disclosed that it has not received capacity payments for more than 24 months, and fuel reimbursements for six months, severely impacting its ability to continue operations.

The company, which supplies nearly 80% of the electricity to Freetown and surrounding areas, stressed that it maintained operations despite growing arrears as a goodwill gesture to the people.

“Karpowership has accommodated the needs of Sierra Leone more than any company could, but can no longer sustain financing the energy needs without a payment intervention,” the company stated.

It revealed that a January 2025 payment plan, agreed upon in Istanbul with high-level government officials, including the Minister of Finance, the Chairman of the Energy Sector, and the Director General of EDSA, collapsed almost immediately.

The first scheduled payment, due by the end of January, was missed and remained unpaid by February 25, triggering formal warnings, it said.

Engagements, including multiple payment reminders in April, and the dispatch of a Karpowership commercial team to Freetown for in-person negotiations, yielded no progress, the company further said.

Karpowership stated that all promises made by Sierra Leonean officials were unfulfilled, ultimately forcing it to scale down power supply.

Industry sources estimate the total arrears owed to Karpowership to be in excess of $40 million, although the company has not officially confirmed this figure.

The reduction in power comes as rolling blackouts and unstable electricity continue to plague Freetown and other urban centres.

Karpowership noted that its current reduced output is being strategically allocated to essential services such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and critical government installations.

The decision could have widespread repercussions, from disrupting health services and halting water pumping stations to further stalling small businesses that rely heavily on electricity for operations.

Despite the financial impasse, Karpowership says it remains committed to the country’s long-term energy goals.

“We remain hopeful that this situation can be resolved promptly and are committed to working closely with the government of Sierra Leone to find a sustainable path forward,” the release added.

The company also expressed appreciation to the people of Sierra Leone for their patience amid worsening electricity woes, reaffirming its dedication to supporting the nation’s development—provided there is a viable financial framework.

As the government remains silent on the issue, energy experts and civil society groups are calling for transparency and urgent action to avert a full-blown power crisis that could plunge the country deeper into economic and social instability.